How to Clean Cloudy and Crazed Acrylic Stamping Blocks

Acrylic stamp block aren't expensive, but you shouldn't have to replace them when they get cloudy and look dirty. That cloudy look comes from the ingredients in the different inks, and there's not much you can do to prevent it from happening.

But there is a simple way to clean them, and using a tool just about every bathroom has - the simple hairdryer!

Turn your hairdryer to the hottest setting, turn it on and then very slowly work over the stamp block, about 5cm above the block, in slow cirlces. The heat will fix the cloudiness and most minor scratches. When the top is clear, flip the block and repeat on the back.

For any stubborn ink smudges, use a stamp cleaner (Staz-on Cleaner or the Stampin' Up stamp cleaner. I've used both, and they are brilliant - expensive, but worth it to keep those special stamps spotless). For general everyday cleaning, use non-scented baby wipes to clean stamps and stamp blocks.

I used to do a lot of paper tole when the children were smaller, usually at night when they were in bed. It was a way for me to unwind from a frantic day before I went to bed.

I love the detail in these 3D cards and they are so easy to do.

You can buy kits from craft shops, or you can be a true Cheapskate and make your own or, as I have for this card, download a free design. I've downloaded and used so many designs from The Paper Craft Tutor, all free. http://www.the-paper-craft-tutor.com/decoupage-etc/

You will need:1 sheet of good quality wrapping paper with a suitable design or download a design onto good paper - I use lightweight photo paper from the $2 shop; don't skimp, the paper needs to be a good quality to withstand the layering and gluePVA glue or glue stickCurved nail scissorsA blank card - size is up to you and will depend on the size of your image.Foam sticky dots or matchsticks cut into 10mm lengths (I prefer to use sticky dots, you can get them at any $2 or craft shop)

Step 1. Decide how many layers you want on your card. Traditionally paper tole is between 5 - 7 layers. For a card up to 4 layers is enough - you don't want the card design too deep to be able to fit an envelope or post. The design on this card used four layers.

Step 2. Choose your image. Using your nail scissors cut out the number of images you need - in my example I've cut out four.

Step 3. Taking one complete image, carefully cut around the edge using the curved nail scissors. Curved nail scissors make cutting the fine detail so much easier than regular craft scissors and give the edges of the image a nice finish. Glue this image to the card. This is your base.

Step 4. Taking the next image, choose which parts you are going to layer onto the base. At this stage it is usually trimmed down version of the complete image. Use the nail scissors to cut them out. Using the sticky dots, stick them in place over the corresponding part of the base image.

Step 5. Continue as above with the third image, cutting out and layering with the sticky dots the main features of the design to give finer detail.

Step 6. The fourth and last layer is the layer with the finest detail - the details of the last layer. You may need to cut the sticky dots in half as the layers are small for this step.

Step 7. Add a sentiment if desired - handwritten, stamped or pre-made and glued in place.

And there you have it - a gorgeous paper tole card for the price of a sheet of wrapping paper and a blank card - under $2.50 if you buy wrapping paper, around 50 cents if you use a free download. And depending on the size of the design you choose you will get at least four cards from one sheet of wrapping paper, bring the cost down even more.Contributed by Cath Armstrong